Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies

Course summary

The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies brings together studies in law and politics. It is an excellent degree for those wanting to work in policy development, paralegal positions, conveyancing, and in the fields of justice. It provides a thorough practical grounding in legal knowledge and a strong understanding of Australian and international politics and society. For people who have already been working professionally in the fields of law and justice, this course will help extend their knowledge, skills and expertise to develop their career.

Major areas of study

The course consists of compulsory law and units and elective units, including Australian Politics, the Australian Legal System, Global Social Movements and Social Policy. Students can choose to study a major in Conveyancing.

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Graduate Attribute

Course Learning Outcome

Intellectual rigour

Apply critical judgement including analysis, reasoning, and appropriate directed research to legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional social and political contexts.

Apply these skills to a broad and diverse range of legal topics.

Creativity

Apply legal reasoning and research to generate appropriate responses to legal problems in paralegal, professional and political contexts.

Apply these skills to a broad and diverse range of legal topics.

Ethical practice

Demonstrate an understanding and evaluate issues with reference to principles of social justice and legal ethical frameworks.

Understanding the relationship between law and sustainability.

Apply these skills to a broad and diverse range of legal topics

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate an understanding of a broad and coherent body of knowledge relating to the paralegal, professional and social contexts of the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts.

Lifelong learning

Learn and work independently within broad parameters.

Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance.

Access, manage and evaluate sources of information relevant to legal issues in social and political contexts.

Communication and social skills

Communicate appropriately and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Collaborate effectively and constructively with others.

Cultural competence

Apply an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice.

Assessment methods

The assessment methods used in this course vary from unit to unit. They may include research proposals, research essays, reports, oral and written presentations, case studies, online and class participation, and examinations. The weighting of assessment marks between assignments and examinations also varies.

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including face-to-face lectures and tutorials. Some units offer online activities, classes, pre-recorded and/or live lectures. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

The online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive online pre-recorded and/or live lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

If online students choose to study the following elective units, they will need to attend workshops at either the Lismore or the Gold Coast campus:

Career opportunities

Law-related work In legal firms, government policy making, corporate firms, government legal departments, law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, court administration, public prosecutions, and in the corporate sector in banking, insurance and conveyancing.

This is a recognised educational qualification for a licensed conveyancer in NSW.

Professional placement

Students can undertake voluntary legal experience and para-professional placement with legal firms or offices to complement their practical legal skills and become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies provides students with the academic requirements necessary to obtain a conveyancer’s licence in NSW, and is accredited by NSW Fair Trading. For licensing requirements, and details of mandatory additional work experience required to enable registration, enquiries should be made to NSW Fair Trading.

Note that each Australian state or territory has its own legislation regulating conveyancing practice, except QLD where only qualified solicitors are legally permitted to engage in conveyancing.

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Related links

Learning Resources

The School of Law and Justice delivers courses in a blended learning environment using innovative and emergent technologies.

MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based study environment Blackboard Learn delivers an advanced online learning environment for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces, classrooms, and discussion boards. They can share files, presentations and applications. If a tutorial or lecture is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The School of Law and Justice resident tutor assists first year students who experience difficulties in understanding their study tasks and/or adapting to tertiary study.

Equipment and facilities

Southern Cross University provides students with modern well equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.

Students at the Lismore campus also have access to a Moot Court with a two-way viewing room, which is used for teaching practical skills in a court setting.

Table of contents

Course requirements

To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies a candidate shall successfully complete twenty-four (24) units (288 credit points), comprising:

all units in Part A; and either

the eight (8) unit Conveyancing major in Part B and four (4) additional units selected from Part B; or

twelve (12) elective units of which a minimum of ten (10) units are selected from Part B; or

four (4) elective units selected from Part B and one (1) eight (8) unit University-wide major selected from the University-wide Schedule of majors, excluding the Law and Justice major.

a candidate who while enrolled for the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies degree, has completed the requirements for the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) may elect to be awarded the Associate degree following withdrawal from candidature for the Bachelor degree.

Advanced standing

Candidates who have completed an Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) may be granted advanced standing for up to sixteen (16) units towards the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.

From Year 2 choose either the Conveyancing Major and four (4) Part B Law elective units OR twelve (12) elective units (ten(10) units must be from Part B), OR a University-wide Major and four (4) Part B elective units.

From Year 4 choose either the Conveyancing Major and four (4) Part B Law elective units OR twelve (12) elective units (ten (10) units must be from Part B), OR a University-wide Major and four (4) Part B Law elective units.

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Southern Cross University acknowledges and pays respect to the ancestors, Elders and descendants of the Lands upon which we meet and study.We are mindful that within and without the concrete and steel of buildings these Lands always were and always will be Aboriginal Land.